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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Up In Flames
Universal acclaim
Based on 20 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 19 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Domino
Release Date: 08 April 2003
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Electronic
Summary
The second LP from Canadian electronic artist Dan Snaith is more song-oriented (and quite a bit more psychedelic) than efforts from similar artists, with Snaith even providing vocals on some tracks.
Also By This Artist: Start Breaking My Heart
Also On Metacritic
MUSIC: Caribou: The Milk Of Human Kindness
Also On The Web: Manitoba @ Post Everything Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Alternative Press
There hasn't been a song-oriented psychedelic album that's had this sort of life-affirming, full-bodied roar since Mercury Rev's 1993 classic, Boces. [June 2003, p.110]
PopMatters
Some of the most euphoric, mind-blowingly beautiful music we have heard in years.
Read Full Review >Stylus Magazine
Up In Flames is a record in love with music made by a music lover, futurepsychenoisebeatpop that reaffirms how much fun music can and ought to be.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly
These laptop-pop fractals... deliver spectacular hip-hop drum breaks and the sort of mile-deep multi-tracking that makes digital technology so much fun. [Listen 2 This supplement, Apr 2003, p.12]
The Wire
Approaches the psychedelic grandeur of Spiritualized or Mercury Rev at their finest while still offering a wealth of carefully placed sonic detail. [#229, p.71]
Uncut
Both adventurous and accessible, a record in love with the obliterating power of sound. [Apr 2003, p.120]
All Music Guide
His tracks are vibrant and imaginative, calling on fuzzed-out guitar solos and summer-day vocals that recall a raft of solid shoegazers.
Read Full Review >Flak Magazine
The fusion of rhythm with textural washes of sound is near perfect in its seamless euphoria.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
Because Up in Flames is so focused on big moments and aural candy, it's wise that Snaith decided to keep the record under 40 minutes. He blows you out and then packs it up.
Read Full Review >Almost Cool
Once again, Snaith has surprised just about everyone, and Up In Flames will likely go down as one of my favorite albums of the year.
Read Full Review >Dot Music
Though Manitoba's constructions are joyously slap-dash and defiantly experimental, he still manages to lure the listener in with woozy melodies and strangely beguiling textures.
Read Full Review >Mojo
A claustrophobic, mesmeric soundscape akin to My Bloody Valentine and Spacemen 3's early work. [Apr 2003, p.114]
Dusted Magazine
The result of this multi-layered synergy, and what helps separate it from its soulless similars, is a record that is all at once satisfyingly complex, but also invitingly warm.
Read Full Review >Urb
Laptop pop that shimmers, shakes and twists like the precocious child of Aphex Twin, Spiritualized and the Beatles. [Aug 2003, p.89]
Ink 19
Up in Flames isn't the next revolution of electro-pop, but it's a damn good try.
Read Full Review >Under The Radar
Up In Flames begs repeated listens and rewards those listens with depth and artistry. [#5, p.110]
Playlouder
Manitoba is a lunatic and a fool, and his strange music, crafted from nature and machine and birdsong and the wind and the air and the seas and THE GODS... it is a fine, fine thing indeed.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
Most tracks follow a simple formula: the vocal from Don't Stop by the Stone Roses + layers of chimes + dog barks + crashing drums = mess. [Jun 2003, p.100]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 19 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Simon G gave it a10:
This is music that makes me feel 25 years younger. An ambient masterpiece, every time I listen to this I hear something new. Made by someone who loves making music, (especially the drummer who is a constant source of musical fun). Probably my best accidental find (of anything) ever. I'm obliged to vote to cancel out Ronnie C's vote of 3.
Matt gave it a10:
anyone who calls this overrated, horrible, etc, is surely a soulless golem sent to destroy us all. Rarely is music so utterly transcendant that it's no longer just sound waves coming through electronic devices into your ears, it's pure beauty and feeling that nourishes your soul. Or, get this album right now.
Pete gave it a10:
Absolutely perfect. I bought have this album for almost nearly two years now and it's still on rotation. 'Loveless' for the 00's
nick r gave it a10:
Best album of 2003 by a mile. Fantastic music that you just don't hear enough of.
w o gave it a 9:
I've had this album for about a year now and I finally got to see Manitoba live tonight. The show was amazing and proved that the complexity of the album could be translated into an energetic live performance.
[Anonymous] gave it a 9:
A fantastic album - it possesses an incredibly layered construction but never sounds anything but melodic. Snaith's ability to draw from so many different influences, yet still bind all the tracks into one cohesive 40 minute disc with so much, well the only word that comes to mind is "groove," is just amazing.
robert gave it a 9:
i only wish it was longer. does anyone hear flying saucer attack in this? saint etienne?
